According
to a recent report, U.S. children and adolescents aren’t receiving
appropriate amounts of dietary calcium. According to the authors of the
report, adequate calcium intake is necessary to achieve peak bone mass,
important for reducing stress fractures and osteoporosis later in life.
Calcium is essential in early adolescence when more calcium is needed
during a 3-4 year period when peak bone growth occurs and 40 percent of
total lifetime bone mass is accumulated. A
well-rounded diet including low-fat dairy products, fruits, and
vegetables and appropriate physical activity are important for
achieving good bone health.